BTTH: From Genius to Invincible

Word Count: 2,790 Words

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In the Gu Realm, a small world opened up by the Gu Clan's Dou God, a slender figure in green attire flitted in and out of sight atop a mist-shrouded, steep mountain peak.

The young lady wore a simple yet stunning long dress. The upper garment's craftsmanship was exceptionally intricate; when the wind blew, it created shadows like phoenix wings spreading. Below, the garment clung tightly to her willow-thin waist that could be encircled by a single hand.

Her skirt swayed with the wind like snowy feathers, dancing elegantly. It was both beautiful and perfectly suited to her.

Her bright eyes were captivating, and her lustrous black hair was casually tied back with a pale purple ribbon. When the gentle breeze blew, her hair fluttered, giving her an ethereal and refined quality.

"Sigh."

Xun Er stood atop the mountain peak. Her soft sigh was enough to break one's heart. Her beautiful eyes gazed upon this world, a cultivation paradise that outsiders coveted endlessly, yet in her eyes, it resembled nothing more than a prison.

Nearly four years had passed since Xun Er had parted ways at Jia Nan Academy and returned to the Gu Clan. In other words, she hadn't seen that figure etched in her heart for almost four years.

Xun Er had visibly matured. Compared to the young girl from those days, she had lost some of her youthful naivety and gained a tranquil grace that seemed to emanate from the depths of her soul.

"Old Ling."

Without turning around, the young lady's rosy lips parted slightly, and a clear, ethereal voice like silver bells echoed across the mountaintop.

As her voice faded, the shadow beneath a boulder suddenly wriggled eerily before transforming into an aged figure. It was none other than Ling Ying!

Ling Ying respectfully bowed to the young lady upon appearing.

"Young Miss."

A year ago, Ling Ying had gone to inquire about the North-Western Region and the Yan Alliance. His visit had coincided with Xiao Yan's participation in the Great Meeting of Factions. He had returned with news of the Yan Alliance's resounding victory, Xiao Yan slaying Gu Tong, and his refinement of a tier 7 medicinal pill that had attracted Pill Lightning.

When Ling Ying first heard this news, he was completely dumbfounded.

Only two years after parting at Jia Nan Academy, Xiao Yan's combat strength had already reached a level where he could kill a Dou Ancestor! And his alchemy skills... Tier 7!

At the time, Ling Ying hadn't quite believed it. Only after making inquiries through various channels did he confirm it was true.

Xun Er waved her finger and retrieved a scroll from her storage ring. She handed it to Ling Ying and said softly, "Xiao Yan ge-ge was already a 4-star Dou Emperor a year ago, with strength enough to kill a 1-star Dou Ancestor. After a year, I believe Xiao Yan ge-ge should now have the ability to cultivate the remaining three seals of the God Seal Technique."

?!!!

Ling Ying felt cold sweat break out on his forehead and his back drenched!

Although this God Seal Technique was a modified, inferior version, the original had been created by the Gu Clan's Dou God! Was it really appropriate… to give it away just like that???!!!

The last three seals required one to be at the Dou Ancestor realm to cultivate. Although advancing from a 4-star Dou Emperor to Dou Ancestor in a single year would be impossible for an ordinary person, Ling Ying didn't doubt Xiao Yan's talent and ability. He believed Xiao Yan could indeed learn the God Seal Technique.

But the problem was, not just anyone could learn it.

"The Xiao Clan and our clan have had an alliance since ancient times. This is merely a High Di Class Dou Technique. Supporting our allies demonstrates the righteousness of our clan."

"The Hun Clan is currently powerful. If our clan can show unwavering support for our allies, perhaps we can gain unexpected benefits."

Xun Er spoke slowly. It was unclear whether she was speaking to Ling Ying or to Elder Tong Xuan, who might have been monitoring in secret.

Ling Ying waited quietly for a moment. He finally dared to accept the scroll after seeing that no one came out to stop them.

"Old Ling, before I enter seclusion, I wish to know some news about Xiao Yan ge-ge," Xun Er said, her tone as tranquil as still water.

Ling Ying sighed inwardly. The only person who could make Xun Er care this much was Xiao Yan; even the Clan Head didn't have such fortune.

Although he was no longer the strongest Dou Emperor in the Gu Clan and had advanced to the Dou Ancestor realm, he still couldn't escape the fate of being a messenger pigeon.

Xun Er let out a soft sigh as she sensed Ling Ying's departure. For some reason, she felt a heaviness in her heart, a sense of being stifled. That was why she had specifically summoned Ling Ying to send the remaining three seals of the God Seal Technique to Xiao Yan and to inquire about his news before entering seclusion.

"Xiao Yan ge-ge, I wonder if you've been thinking of Xun Er... Xun Er misses you so much."

…

At that moment, atop Misty Cloud Mountain, Xiao Yan lay on the Green Lotus platform, his eyes unfocused as he gazed at the azure sky.

The room had long been reduced to ashes by the Green Lotus Core Flame, exposing the blue sky above. Cai Lin had already left. Matters such as the relocation of the Snake-People Tribe and the division of the Sky Serpent Mansion's territory all required her attention.

Instead, Xiao Yan now felt somewhat at a loss.

'I'm done for...'

Xiao Yan felt rather panicked. He didn't know how Xun Er would react upon finding out. Naturally, he feared losing her.

But as a man, he couldn't simply ignore Cai Lin's situation and run away.

"Grandmaster Xiao Yan, Her Majesty the Queen has sent me to deliver your meal," said Hua She Er, Cai Lin's personal attendant, arriving with some food.

Hua She Er's expression turned somewhat strange as she saw the fire-ravaged scene. What was going on? Did they have a battle with Heavenly Flames here?

After setting down the meal, Hua She Er took out a letter from her storage ring and handed it to Xiao Yan with an odd expression. "This is a letter from Her Majesty to you, Grandmaster Xiao Yan."

She looked perplexed, wondering why Her Majesty needed to communicate with Xiao Yan via letter instead of speaking face-to-face.

After delivering the letter, she departed.

Xiao Yan sighed before slowly opening it. The content was simple. Cai Lin stated she would raise the child independently without requiring anything from him. She wouldn't interfere with or restrict his personal life, and they had no marital relationship.

Although the letter seemed cold, as if she wanted to sever ties with him, he could read the underlying care between the lines.

Cai Lin and Xiao Yan shared a special soul connection. Moreover, during her time by his side at Jia Nan Academy, she had learned about his relationship with Xun Er.

Furthermore, when Xiao Yan faced uncertain life and death before rescuing Qing Lin, he had told Cai Lin that if Xun Er came looking for him, she should ask her to wait a little longer.

Even when facing possible death, Xiao Yan hadn't forgotten to mention Xun Er in his final words. Cai Lin would have to be an idiot not to understand Xun Er's place in his heart. Knowing his current inner turmoil, she had specifically written him this letter.

After reading it, Xiao Yan slapped himself hard across the face with a 'pa' sound.

"Hah… No matter what, this matter arose because of me." He abruptly stood up. This wasn't his previous world; the Dou Qi Continent differed from Earth. Here, strength reigned supreme. He needed to think about problems differently.

With sufficient strength, nothing was insurmountable.

Xiao Yan spread his Dou Qi wings. Having regained his composure, he planned to first refine the pill for Zi Yan, then enhance his own strength, focusing especially on cultivating Dou Techniques and increasing his cultivation level.

Not far away, in a palace of the Snake-People Tribe, Cai Lin sensed something while reviewing documents. She slowly raised her head to gaze at the horizon. The corners of her mouth curved into a smile, and her eyes filled with tenderness.

This expression was one she had never shown before.

Gently stroking her lower abdomen, she murmured, "You will be the only man I ever have."

…

Meanwhile, atop the mountain peak, Zi Yan felt utterly deceived.

Three days! She had waited for a full three days! What happened to 'very soon'? Was he playing her for a fool?!

"Sorry Zi Yan, I got delayed by some matters," Xiao Yan quickly apologized upon seeing Zi Yan's furious, teeth-gritting, tightly clenched fists.

If anyone was to blame, it was the Ten Thousand Beast Flame for being too powerful.

In the end, Zi Yan held back and didn't beat him up. After all, she still needed him to refine her medicinal pills.

"Hurry up and refine the pills for me," she snorted coldly.

"Alright, alright, right now, immediately." Just as Xiao Yan took out the medicinal cauldron, he sensed a familiar yet startling aura that made his heart tremble.

'Old Ling?!' His heart pounded violently! Cold sweat poured down his forehead, and his teeth even chattered slightly, the very picture of someone with a guilty conscience.

"Xiao Yan?"

"Sorry, Zi Yan, I suddenly have some urgent matters to attend to. I'll be back soon." With that, he immediately spread his Dou Qi wings and flew off in another direction.

Zi Yan was left standing there, completely baffled, enduring the cold wind.

At that moment, Ling Ying had just arrived at Jia Ma Sacred City when Xiao Yan approached him.

"Old Ling, long time no see," Xiao Yan said with a smile as he walked over.

Ling Ying had given up. Even though he had reached the Dou Ancestor realm, he still couldn't escape Xiao Yan's spiritual perception. This wasn't surprising, as Xiao Yan's Spiritual Strength had improved even faster and had now reached the Soul State!

Ling Ying smiled wryly. "Young Master Xiao Yan's perception is truly becoming more and more terrifying."

Xiao Yan chuckled, but his smile seemed a bit unnatural. He quickly asked, "May I ask what brings Old Ling here? Is Xun Er well?"

Ling Ying smiled and nodded. "The Young Miss is doing fine. She needs to enter a place of inheritance for cultivation and will be in seclusion for some time. That's why she specifically sent me to deliver the latter three seals of the God Seal Technique to Young Master Xiao Yan."

"Haha, the Young Miss truly understands you. I didn't expect you to have already reached the 8-star Dou Emperor stage. At this rate, it seems you'll enter the Dou Ancestor realm in less than a year. You can start cultivating the remaining three seals of the God Seal Technique now."

Xiao Yan was momentarily lost in thought as he looked at the scroll Ling Ying handed over. He hadn't expected that Xun Er, despite being far away in the Central Plains, still remembered him, always thinking of him and concerned about his well-being.

He held the scroll with both hands. For some reason, he suddenly felt as if it weighed a thousand tons.

Ling Ying nodded with satisfaction as he saw Xiao Yan receive the God Seal Technique with such reverence. "Hehe, since the scroll has been delivered to Young Master Xiao Yan, I shall return to report."

"Does Young Master Xiao Yan have any message you'd like me to convey to the Young Miss?"

Ling Ying had learned quite a bit about the Yan Alliance during his journey. He couldn't help but marvel at Xiao Yan's might. Not only had he won over a Dou Venerate expert, but he had also become the overlord of the entire North-Western Region, showing signs of unifying it and marching toward the Central Plains.

"I... I..." Xiao Yan stammered for a moment, then his gaze hardened, and he said solemnly, "There are some things I feel I should tell Xun Er personally."

"Please tell her that I am well, and I will head to the Central Plains very soon."

Ling Ying nodded. His purpose was simply to deliver the item and confirm Xiao Yan's safety, allowing Xun Er to focus on her cultivation with peace of mind.

Before leaving, Ling Ying pondered for a moment, then suddenly used spiritual voice transmission. "Young Master Xiao Yan, there are currently some unfavorable opinions within the clan regarding the Young Miss. Some elders hope for her to marry someone from the younger generation within the clan."

!!!!!!?

Xiao Yan's eyes instantly flashed with a sharp, blade-like coldness. An oppressive feeling that made even Ling Ying tremble with fear and trepidation emanated from him.

"How... However, the Clan Head opposes this, believing that the Young Miss's bloodline hasn't stabilized yet, making it unsuitable for her to discuss marriage at this time. The matter has been suppressed for now."

"If Young Master visits the Central Plains and the Gu Realm, you must be wary of Gu Yao. He is the current Asura Commander of the Black Submerged Army. His talent, strength, and status far surpass Ling Quan's. He has reached the Dou Venerate realm and is the most ardent pursuer of the Young Miss among the younger generation."

Ling Ying wasn't trying to discourage Xiao Yan; quite the opposite, he held him in high regard.

If the clan were to vote on whom Xun Er should marry, no one in the Gu Clan would vote for Xiao Yan. However, Xiao Yan would still have one vote—the one cast by Xun Er herself.

Even if the entire Gu Clan opposed it, Xiao Yan would still have that one vote.

Therefore, knowing Xiao Yan would definitely come to the Gu Realm, Ling Ying specifically reminded him that despite his rapid cultivation progress to 8-star Dou Emperor, in the Gu Clan, such speed meant little. True young geniuses were plentiful there.

Xiao Yan quickly retracted his aura, his expression returning to its usual confidence. He smiled faintly. "Many thanks for Old Ling's reminder. Rest assured, a mere Dou Venerate can't stop me. My ambitions extend far beyond that."

"When I visit the Gu Clan, I must ask Old Ling to introduce me to that Asura Commander."

Ling Ying saw the fighting spirit in Xiao Yan's eyes and knew that before long, those arrogant and complacent young members of the Gu Clan would be slapped hard across the face.

Xiao Yan took out a jade box from his storage ring and handed it to Ling Ying. "Old Ling has worked hard on this journey. This is a tier 7 Emperor Strength Purple Pill, a small token of appreciation."

Ling Ying originally wanted to decline, but upon hearing it was an Emperor Strength Purple Pill, he swallowed his words. This medicinal pill was useful even to Dou Ancestors.

"Thank you, Young Master Xiao Yan. It's getting late, and I must return to report to the Young Miss. She must be anxiously waiting." Ling Ying accepted the brocade box and departed. Now he felt that being a messenger pigeon wasn't so bad after all.

A fighting spirit ignited in Xiao Yan's heart as he watched Ling Ying leave.

'Gu Yao... a Dou Venerate, huh? A Dou Venerate from the Gu Clan is likely much stronger than an ordinary Dou Venerate.'

His eyes narrowed as a sense of pressure surged in his heart once again. He suddenly realized he had been somewhat complacent. If he wanted to win Xun Er, the vast Gu Clan would never simply agree.

'At the very least, I need to reach the Dou Venerate realm!'

Xiao Yan slowly opened the scroll. An incredibly powerful stream of spiritual information flooded his mind.

The last three seals of the God Seal Technique were the Overturning Land Seal, Sky Burying Seal, and Ancient God Seal. When all five seals reached major mastery and were multiplied together, their terrifying might could rival a Tian Class Dou Technique.

Generally, the last three seals required one to be a Dou Ancestor to cultivate. Although Xiao Yan was currently an 8-star Dou Emperor, his Spiritual Strength had already reached the Soul State, allowing him to cultivate them in advance.

'I need to cultivate more Dou Techniques before going to the Central Plains. The current ones are no longer sufficient.'